Introducing Our New Director of
Education & Programming
I am delighted to announce that Chaviva Sands has joined our staff as Director of Education and Programming. Chaviva comes to us from the Jewish Community Day School, where for the past year she has served as an enrichment teacher in Hebrew, Jewish Studies and “STEAM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).

Chaviva holds an impressive background in Jewish education. As a May 2021 graduate of the joint program of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Columbia University School of General Studies in evolutionary biology of the human species and a Bachelor of Arts in Midrash from the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies, a well-known institution for the training of Jewish educators. In the fall of 2011, she participated in the Nativ 31 College Leadership Program in Israel at the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University.

While obtaining her degrees in New York, Chaviva also gained work experience from multiple synagogues in the community, including Assistant to the Education Director of Conservative Congregation Or Zarua for two years, kindergarten teacher at the Hebrew School of Ansche Chesed Conservative Congregation, Hebrew School teacher at Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel in Riverdale, and Religious School teacher at Temple Israel of the City of New York during the pandemic.

Chaviva is well-positioned to lead our Shul School and create imaginative programming for our community. As you can see from her message and her mission statement below, she is committed to the enhancement of our educational programs here at Shir Chadash, and we welcome her to our leadership team.

Peter Title
President
Hi Shir Chadash Community!
 
I am Chaviva Sands and I am thrilled to be your new Director of Education and Programming. I am a native of New Orleans and many of y’all watched me grow up at Shir Chadash. In addition to participating in Sunday School and youth programming here, I also attended the Jewish Community Day School (previously the New Orleans Jewish Day School), went to Camp Ramah Darom for 7 years as a camper and worked 3 years on staff, and was involved in our local and regional USY and Young Judaea chapters.   

Between 2012 and 2021, I worked to complete my two undergraduate degrees from List College while working at numerous synagogues in New York City in a variety of roles. I learned a great deal about Jewish educational programming for youth and adults, as well as engaging new and old members of a congregation to build a strong and unified community. I am pleased to have this opportunity to apply what I have learned and utilize the skills I have acquired to create and expand upon the current youth and adult programming offered at Shir Chadash. My mission statement is as follows:

  • Encourage Jewish education through play, Jewish social justice, middot (values), and critical thinking of Jewish literature/scripture to develop and shape the Jewish identity of each person in the community. 

  • Engage people of all ages in programming to create a strong community founded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 

  • Make education the engine that drives membership and inspires leadership and involvement in Jewish life in New Orleans and the world at large.  

  • Make Shir Chadash’s educational program one that provides premier learning that encompasses ritual, culture, practice, and social justice through the lens of Conservative Judaism. 

I look forward to working with our congregants and all the wonderful volunteers at Shir Chadash as I give back to the community that contributed to the shaping of my Jewish identity and who I am today. We are going to have a fantastic time together!

Shabbat Shalom,
Chaviva Sands 
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